Fact Check: Did Obama have a dog trainer on retainer for $102,000 a year?

Fact-Check: Did Obama Have a Dog Trainer on Retainer for $102,000 a Year?

What We Know

The claim that President Barack Obama had a dog trainer on retainer for $102,000 a year has circulated widely, particularly through chain emails critical of his presidency. This assertion suggests that taxpayer money was used to fund such an expense. However, the facts tell a different story.

Dog Trainer's Identity: The dog in question, Bo, was a gift from Senator Edward Kennedy and was trained by Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz, who had previously worked with the Kennedy family. Sylvia-Stasiewicz was never paid by the Obama administration for her services.
Reggie Love's Role: The individual who earned $102,000 a year was Reggie Love, who served as President Obama's personal aide, not a dog trainer. His responsibilities included personal assistance and scheduling, with any dog handling being a minor part of his overall duties (PolitiFact).
Historical Context: The White House has a long history of accommodating pets, with various presidents having dogs and other animals. The Obamas had two Portuguese water dogs, Bo and Sunny, but the claim about a dedicated dog trainer is unfounded (PolitiFact).

Analysis

The claim that Obama kept a dog trainer on retainer for $102,000 is based on a misunderstanding and misrepresentation of facts.

Source Reliability: The primary sources of this claim are chain emails and blogs that lack rigorous fact-checking. PolitiFact, a reputable fact-checking organization, has thoroughly debunked this claim, categorizing it as "Pants on Fire," indicating that it is not just false but also misleading (PolitiFact, PolitiFact).
Misinterpretation of Roles: The confusion arises from the fact that Reggie Love's salary was indeed $102,000, but he was not a dog trainer. His title and duties were clearly defined as those of a personal aide, which diminishes the credibility of the claim that taxpayer money was spent on a dog trainer (PolitiFact).
Lack of Evidence: There is no credible evidence to support the idea that a dog trainer was retained at such a high cost. The only trainer associated with Bo was Sylvia-Stasiewicz, who was not compensated by the Obama administration (PolitiFact).

Conclusion

The claim that President Obama had a dog trainer on retainer for $102,000 a year is False. The assertion conflates the salary of a personal aide with the role of a dog trainer, leading to a misleading narrative. The actual trainer of Bo was never paid by the Obama administration, and Reggie Love's role as an aide does not support the claim that taxpayer money was used for dog training services.